Female Impersonator Collection

The Actor Nakamura Noshio I as the Goddes Benzaiten of Enoshima in the Play Onno Aruji... c. 1773. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Nakamura Noshio I as the Goddes Benzaiten of Enoshima in the Play Onno Aruji Hatsuyuki no Sekai, Performed at the Morita Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1773, Japan, c. 1773

Onoe Baiko and Seki Sanjuro, 1884. Creator: Toyohara Kunichika
Onoe Baiko and Seki Sanjuro, 1884

The Actor Nakamura Shikan IV, 1884. Creator: Toyohara Kunichika
The Actor Nakamura Shikan IV, 1884

The Actors Ichikawa Danjuro and Nakamura Fukusuke in the Roles of Kato Kiyomasa... 19th century
The Actors Ichikawa Danjuro and Nakamura Fukusuke in the Roles of Kato Kiyomasa and Hinagoromo, 19th century

The Osaka Actors Sawamura Tanosuke III and Nakamura Shikan IV, c1870. Creator: Utagawa Yoshiiku
The Osaka Actors Sawamura Tanosuke III and Nakamura Shikan IV, c1870

Bando Shuka as Hashimotoya Shiraito, 1852. Creator: Utagawa Kuniyoshi
Bando Shuka as Hashimotoya Shiraito, 1852. Kabuki actor in the role of courtesan of the Hashimotoya Restaurant, holding up a gold coin (s)he has just taken from a paper wrapper

Ichikawa Kodanji IV as Ishikawa Goemon, Onoe Kikugoro II as the wife Oritsu... between 1848 & 1852
Ichikawa Kodanji IV as Ishikawa Goemon, Onoe Kikugoro II as the wife Oritsu, Arashi Rikan III as Haginoya Yaegiri and Nakamura Utaemon IV as Takagi Oriemon from the series Comparison of flowers

The Actor Ichimura Kakitsu IV in a Female Role, between circa 1863 and circa 1868. Creator: Toyohara Kunichika
The Actor Ichimura Kakitsu IV in a Female Role, between circa 1863 and circa 1868

Scene froma Kabuki play, Mid-late 1780s. Creator: Torii Kiyonaga
Scene froma Kabuki play, Mid-late 1780s. Actors Sawamura Sojuro III as Nuregami Chogoro, Ichikawa Monnosuke II as Hanaregoma Chokichi, Segawa Kikunojo III as Azuma

Segawa Kikunojo III in a Female Role, between circa 1790 and circa 1795. Creator: Katsukawa Shun'ei
Segawa Kikunojo III in a Female Role, between circa 1790 and circa 1795

Actor in the Role of Asada Itcho, between circa 1843 and circa 1855. Creator: Utagawa Kuniteru
Actor in the Role of Asada Itcho, between circa 1843 and circa 1855. Ichikawa Danjuro VIII as Tsukushi Gonroku, Bando Shuka as Yakko no Koman

The Actor Segawa Kikunojo III as Hito-maru Disguised as the Courtesan Chiyozaki, in the... c. 1775. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Segawa Kikunojo III as Hito-maru Disguised as the Courtesan Chiyozaki, in the Play Kuruwa no Hana Katsuragi no Kane, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the third Month, 1775, Japan, c

The Actor Nakamura Noshio I as the Spirit of the Courtesan Takao, in the Shosagoto Danc... c. 1772. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Nakamura Noshio I as the Spirit of the Courtesan Takao, in the Shosagoto Dance Sequence "Sono Utsushi-e Matsu ni Kaede" (A Shadow-Picture of Pine and Maple)

The Actor Nakamura Matsue I as Kasaya Sankatsu (?) in the Play Hana no Gosho... c. 1772. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Nakamura Matsue I as Kasaya Sankatsu (?) in the Play Hana no Gosho Konegen Butai (?), Performed at the Nakamura Theater (?) in the Eighth Month, 1772 (?), Japan, c. 1772

The Actor Nakamura Noshio I as Oiso no Tora (?) in the Play Shida Yuzuriha Horai Soga (?)... c1775. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Nakamura Noshio I as Oiso no Tora (?) in the Play Shida Yuzuriha Horai Soga (?), Performed at the Morita Theater (?) in the First Month, 1775 (?), Japan, c. 1775

The Actors Ichimura Uzaemon IX as Hata no Daizen Taketora Disguised as the Yakko Matahe... c. 1781. Creator: Shunsho
The Actors Ichimura Uzaemon IX as Hata no Daizen Taketora Disguised as the Yakko Matahei (right), and Iwai Hanshiro IV as Umegae Disguised as the Poem-Diviner Omatsu (left)

The Actor Iwai Hanshiro IV as Princess Sakura (Sakura Hime) in the Play Wada Sakamori... c. 1773. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Iwai Hanshiro IV as Princess Sakura (Sakura Hime) in the Play Wada Sakamori Eiga Kagami, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Third Month, 1773, Japan, c. 1773

The Actor Yamashita Kinsaku II as Tsukimasu, Acting as Sakura-maru, in the Play Miya... c. 1773. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Yamashita Kinsaku II as Tsukimasu, Acting as Sakura-maru, in the Play Miya-bashira Iwao no Butai, Performed at the Morita Theater in the Seventh Month, 1773, Japan, c. 1773

The Actor Iwai Hanshiro IV as Osuwa in the Play Koi no Yosuga Kanagaki Soga, Performed... c. 1789. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Iwai Hanshiro IV as Osuwa in the Play Koi no Yosuga Kanagaki Soga, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Fourth Monther, 1789, Japan, c. 1789

The Actor Yamashita Kinsaku II as Oishi (?) or Osono (?) in the Play Kanadehon... c. 1771. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Yamashita Kinsaku II as Oishi (?) or Osono (?) in the Play Kanadehon Chushingura (?), Performed at the Nakamura Theater (?) in the Fifth Month, 1771 (?), Japan, c. 1771

The Actor Iwai Hanshiro IV as the Courtesan Agemaki in the Play Sukeroku Yukari no... c. 1776. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Iwai Hanshiro IV as the Courtesan Agemaki in the Play Sukeroku Yukari no Hatsu-zakura, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Third Month, 1776, Japan, c. 1776

The Actor Ichikawa Monnosuke II as Shira-giku, a Temple Page, In the Play Haru wa Soga... c. 1772. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Ichikawa Monnosuke II as Shira-giku, a Temple Page, In the Play Haru wa Soga Akebono-zoshi, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the First Month, 1772, Japan, c. 1772

The Actor Ichikawa Danzo IV as Tonase in the Play Kanadehon Chushingura, Performed... c. 1781. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Ichikawa Danzo IV as Tonase in the Play Kanadehon Chushingura, Performed at the Morita Theater in the Third Month, 1781, Japan, c. 1781

The Actor Nakamura Tomijuro I as a Female Fox from Mt. Ubagadake in the Play Chigo... c. 1777. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Nakamura Tomijuro I as a Female Fox from Mt. Ubagadake in the Play Chigo Torii Tobiiri Kitsune, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1777, Japan, c. 1777

The Actor Nakamura Tomijuro I as a Female Fox from Mt. Ubagadake in the Play Chigo... c. 1777. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Nakamura Tomijuro I as a Female Fox from Mt. Ubagadake in the Play Chigo Torii Tobiiri Kitsune, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1777, Japan, c. 1777

The Actor Iwai Hanshiro IV as Agemaki in the Play Sakai-cho Soga Nendaiki, Performed... c. 1771. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Iwai Hanshiro IV as Agemaki in the Play Sakai-cho Soga Nendaiki, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Third Month, 1771, Japan, c. 1771

The Actor Otani Tomoemon I as Otsuma in the Play Kabuki no Hana Bandai Soga, Performed... c. 1781. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Otani Tomoemon I as Otsuma in the Play Kabuki no Hana Bandai Soga, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Fourth Month, 1781, Japan, c. 1781

The Actor Yoshizawa Iroha I as Tamamo no Mae (?) in the Play Sakuya Kono Hana no... c. 1776. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Yoshizawa Iroha I as Tamamo no Mae (?) in the Play Sakuya Kono Hana no Kaomise (?), Performed at the Nakamura Theater (?) in the Eleventh Month, 1776 (?), Japan, c. 1776

The Actor Nakamura Riko I as Lady Manko (Manko Gozen) (?) in the Play Soga Musume... c. 1784. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Nakamura Riko I as Lady Manko (Manko Gozen) (?) in the Play Soga Musume Choja (?), Performed at the Nakamura Theater (?) in the First Month, 1784 (?), Japan, c. 1784

The Actor Segawa Kitsuji III as Murasame in the Play Gohiiki Kanjincho, Performed... c. 1773. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Segawa Kitsuji III as Murasame in the Play Gohiiki Kanjincho, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1773, Japan, c. 1773

The Actor Nakamura Noshio I as a Dragon Maiden Disguised a Tamanami, in the Play... c. 1775. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Nakamura Noshio I as a Dragon Maiden Disguised a Tamanami, in the Play Oyafune Taiheiki, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1775, Japan, c. 1775

The Actor Onoe Tamizo I as Kureha (?) in the Play Shusse Taiheiki (?), Performed at the... c. 1775. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Onoe Tamizo I as Kureha (?) in the Play Shusse Taiheiki (?), Performed at the Nakamura Theater (?) in the Eighth Month, 1775 (?), Japan, c. 1775

The Actor Nakamura Tomijuro I as Lady Hangaku (Hangaku Gozen) in the Play Wada-... c. 1777. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Nakamura Tomijuro I as Lady Hangaku (Hangaku Gozen) in the Play Wada-gassen Onna Maizuru, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Seventh Month, 1777, Japan, c. 1777

The Actor Yamashita Kinsaku II as Moshio in the Play Izu-goyomi Shibai no Ganjitsu... c. 1772. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Yamashita Kinsaku II as Moshio in the Play Izu-goyomi Shibai no Ganjitsu, Performed at the Morita Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1772, Japan, c. 1772

The Actor Onoe Kikugoro I as Tonase in the Play Kanadehon Chushin Nagori no Kura... c. 1780. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Onoe Kikugoro I as Tonase in the Play Kanadehon Chushin Nagori no Kura, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Ninth Month, 1780, Japan, c. 1780

The Actor Yamashita Kinsaku II as Lady Manko (Manko Gozen) in the Play Hatsumombi... c. 1780. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Yamashita Kinsaku II as Lady Manko (Manko Gozen) in the Play Hatsumombi Kuruwa Soga, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the First Month, 1780, Japan, c. 1780

The Actor Nakamura Riko I as the Courtesan Wakamatsu (?) in the Play Gohiiki Kanjincho... c. 1773. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Nakamura Riko I as the Courtesan Wakamatsu (?) in the Play Gohiiki Kanjincho (?), Performed at the Nakamura Theater (?) in the Eleventh Month, 1773 (?), Japan, c. 1773

The Actor Ikushima Daikichi III as the Courtesan Naniwazu in the Play Saki Masuya Ume... c. 1777. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Ikushima Daikichi III as the Courtesan Naniwazu in the Play Saki Masuya Ume no Kachidoki, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1777, Japan, c. 1777

The Actor Osagawa Tsuneyo II as Onoe no Mae in the Play Date Nishiki Tsui no Yumitori... c. 1778. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Osagawa Tsuneyo II as Onoe no Mae in the Play Date Nishiki Tsui no Yumitori, Performed at the Morita Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1778, Japan, c. 1778

The Actor Nakamura Tomijuro I as Lady Hangaku (Hangaku Gozen) in the Play Wada-... c. 1777. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Nakamura Tomijuro I as Lady Hangaku (Hangaku Gozen) in the Play Wada-gassen Onna Maizuru, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Seventh Month, 1777, Japan, c. 1777

The Actor Iwai Hanshiro IV as Tsukisayo in the Play Gohiiki Nenne Soga, Performed... c. 1779. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Iwai Hanshiro IV as Tsukisayo in the Play Gohiiki Nenne Soga, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the First Month, 1779, Japan, c. 1779

The Actor Yamashita Kinsaku II as Miyagino Disguised as a Hairdresser in the Play... c. 1772. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Yamashita Kinsaku II as Miyagino Disguised as a Hairdresser in the Play Kosode-gura no Tekubari, Performed at the Morita Theater in the Second Month, 1772 (?), Japan, c. 1772

The Actor Segawa Kikunojo III as Aigo no Waka in the Play Chigo Sakura Jusan Kane... c. 1774. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Segawa Kikunojo III as Aigo no Waka in the Play Chigo Sakura Jusan Kane, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1774, Japan, c. 1774

The Actor Onoe Matsusuke I as Akoya in the Play Edo Meisho Midori Soga, Performed... Japan, c.1779. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Onoe Matsusuke I as Akoya in the Play Edo Meisho Midori Soga, Performed at the Morita Theater in the Second Month, 1779, Japan, c. 1779

The Actor Yamashita Kinsaku II as Oishi (?) in the Play Kanadehon Chushin Nagori no... c. 1780. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Yamashita Kinsaku II as Oishi (?) in the Play Kanadehon Chushin Nagori no Kura (?), Performed at the Nakamora Theater (?) in the Ninth Month, 1780 (?), Japan, c. 1780

The Actor Ichikawa Monnosuke II as Kichisaburo, Temple Page of Kichijo-ji, in the Play... c. 1776. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Ichikawa Monnosuke II as Kichisaburo, Temple Page of Kichijo-ji, in the Play Sono Kyodai Fuji no Sugatami, Performed at the Morita Theater in the Second Month, 1776, Japan, c. 1776

The Actor Yamashita Kinsaku II as Lady Manko (Manko Gozen) (?) in the Play Hatsumombi... c. 1780. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Yamashita Kinsaku II as Lady Manko (Manko Gozen) (?) in the Play Hatsumombi Kuruwa Soga (?), Performed at the Nakamura Theater (?) in the First Month, 1780 (?), Japan, c. 1780

The Actor Ichikawa Monnosuke II as Minamoto no Yorinobu in the Play Kikujido Shuen no... c. 1775. Creator: Shunsho
The Actor Ichikawa Monnosuke II as Minamoto no Yorinobu in the Play Kikujido Shuen no Iwaya, Performed at the Morita Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1775, Japan, c. 1775

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"Exploring the Art of Female Impersonation in Japanese Kabuki Theatre" In the vibrant world of Japanese Kabuki theatre, female impersonators have long captivated audiences with their extraordinary talent and captivating performances. These skilled actors, known as onnagata, masterfully transform themselves into women both in appearance and mannerisms, creating a mesmerizing spectacle that blurs the lines between reality and illusion. One such iconic portrayal is Ichikawa Danjuro VII as Konoshita Tokichi. With meticulous attention to detail, he embodies the essence of femininity through graceful movements and delicate gestures. Nakamura Daikichi joins him on stage as his wife, seamlessly blending their energies to create a harmonious duo that brings characters to life with unparalleled authenticity. Another remarkable figure in this realm is Iwai Han. Renowned for her portrayal of Reizei in "Ima-o-sakari Suehiro Genji, " she enchants spectators with her ethereal beauty and emotional depth. The Second Segawa Kikunojo also leaves an indelible mark as Tonase from Kanadehon Chushingura, showcasing her versatility by effortlessly transitioning from one role to another. The artistry captured by Ippitsusai Buncho's creations further exemplifies the allure of these performers. From Onoe Kikugoro's embodiment of Tonase to Nakamura Kiyozo's enigmatic presence on stage, each portrait encapsulates the dedication and skill required for successful female impersonation. Ishikawa Toyonobu's works offer glimpses into historical moments within this art form. Segawa Kikunojo II shines brightly as a young girl while Ichikawa Monnosuke II exudes elegance portraying a woman wearing a red cape. These images serve as testaments to Toyonobu's ability to immortalize these fleeting moments forever.